Drama and Production BA (Hons)

Information iconCourse code: W440

Calendar iconStudy mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time.

Mortar board iconCourse type: BA (Hons)

Globe iconInternational: Available to study on-campus

Campus iconStudy at: Inverness

Pen iconStart in: September

Computer and book iconLearning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally.

Clock iconDuration: Full-time: 4 years; Part-time: 8 years

Book and tick iconHow: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable.

What is special about this course?

Whether you dream of performing to an audience or you'd be happier applying your talents behind the scenes, raise the curtain on your theatrical dreams with this comprehensive, thoughtfully-constructed programme. 

Train as a performer, practitioner, producer, or researcher, with a focus on planning, production, and entrepreneurial skills. Cultivate valuable performance production skills via involvement with in-house productions as well as those from visiting companies. Access fantastic placements and performance opportunities as a result of the programme’s connections with theatre practitioners and arts centres in the region, and develop a major piece of practice and/or text-based research in your fourth year, drawing on the critical performance and production skills developed throughout the degree. 

Special features

  • Theoretical, practical and entrepreneurial approaches to performance
  • Showcase of final year work
  • Placement opportunities and connections via the programme’s network of theatre practitioners
  • Rolling programme of extra-curricular master classes and workshops
  • Opportunities to develop independent performance projects

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Year 1 of this course is HNC Acting and Performance, or HNC Musical Theatre.

Year 2 of this course is HND Acting and Performance, or HND Musical Theatre.

Year 1 of this course is one of the following HNCs:

Year 2 of this course is one of the following HNDs:

Core modules may include:

  • Applied drama 1: education (S1)
  • Costume design and the imagination (S2)
  • Drama and production: experiential learning (S2)
  • Group devised performance (S2)
  • Research and performance (S1)
  • Script adaptation and development (S1)

Core modules may include:

  • Applied drama 2 (health and wellbeing) (S1 and S2)
  • Autonomous practitioner (S1 and S2)
  • Creative industry research project (S1 and S2)
  • Entrepreneurship and production (S1 and S2)

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time
  • Part-time modular (standalone modules)
  • The primary study mode is face to face, on campus
  • It may be possible to join some classes online subject to approval from the programme leader. Students interested in this approach should contact the programme leader at UHI Inverness to discuss before making an application
  • Learning includes intensive practical workshops as well as discussion based classes, supported by the university's VLE (virtual learning environment)

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years
  • Part-time: 8 years
  • Part-time modular: variable
  • Inverness

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Degrees 2025-26 2026-27
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

Full-time Level 2025-26 2026-27
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,790
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,790
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,790
Year 4 Honours free free

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,632.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Year Level 2025-26 Full-time With scholarship 2026-27 Full-time
Year 1 CertHE £15,870 £12,870 £16,820
Year 2 DipHE £15,870 £12,870 £16,820
Year 3 Degree £15,870 £12,870 £16,820
Year 4 Honours £15,870 Free £16,820

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

  2025-26 2026-27
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £15,870 £16,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £7,935 £8,415
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £2,645 £2,805

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

You will be required to cover any additional travel and accommodation costs for all residencies.

What can I do on completion of my course?

This degree prepares students for careers in a variety of areas relating to drama and theatre, including:

  • Performance-making
  • Arts management
  • Health and wellbeing (Drama therapy)
  • Education (PGDE with Drama)

Can I progress into further study?

On successful completion of the degree you may wish to consider further postgraduate study or research such as our MRes Creative Practice.

Apply for Drama and Production BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2026

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.